Abstract

Purpose – This paper examines how board evaluations have emerged as an important tool in public policy and corporate practice for enhancing board effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach – We review the extensive literature on effectiveness and the emerging literature on board evaluation to identify ways to assess the current policy direction for external evaluation of corporate boards. Findings – The paper develops an integrated framework of effectiveness that can be used as a tool for board evaluation, in particular for externally facilitated exercises. Research limitations/implications – Through its integration of prior conceptual work this paper advances our theoretical understanding of this emerging part of policy and practice, with to-date lack much empirical basis. Practical implications – The framework we develop shows ways to focus how the practice is conducted by boards and external evaluators alike. Social implications – It can also help policy formation by pointing out the limitations as well as benefits of various policy options. Originality/value – In pointing to ways to develop study of the field through empirical research it provides direction for future academic research. It also identifies a need for and direction toward the professionalization of practice.

Item Type:

Article

ISSN:

1472-0701

Additional Information:

An earlier version of this paper was presented to the British Academy of Management conference at the University of Warwick in 2017. The authors thank participants for their comments, which have led to refinements to the argument and the model.